Minutes from QACRSPA Meeting - Wednesday, March 12, 2025

11:30-12:01 Chatting with fellow RETIREES
Several bags and boxes were filled with personal care donations for Haven Ministries.

12:01 Richard welcomed everyone to the annual business meeting. He thanked Susie for setting up and decorating so attractively for our delicious St. Patrick's Day luncheon.

Sandy Hartmann introduced Kathy Campbell Dieghan, a 1998 graduate of QACHS, who is currently the Adult Investigator for QAC Social Services. Kathy shared several types of services that are available in the county for senior citizens although she felt most of us wouldn't qualify since we are over income. She mentioned Home Instead, out of Easton, as a possible resource that will send someone out to assess needs. She distributed pamphlets with more information. Her current estimate for care in a nursing home is $9,000-11,000 a month and assisted living costs would be $8,000-9,000 per month.

Susan Boone shared the names of school personnel who passed since our last meeting in 2024 and 2025. She asked for a moment of silence, as we mourn their loss and remember them with love and gratitude.

Marge Felty There were no minutes from the December 10th meeting. It was devoted to enjoying the holiday celebration at Prospect Bay Country Club in the beautifully decorated dining room. We had delicious food and the entertainment by the QACHS choral group left us smiling and full of good cheer. Minutes from today's meeting will be available later this week in your email inbox and on the website.

Sue Miller Treasurer's report: As of March 2025, the accounts at Shore United Bank show
QACRSPA $6,224.89
Scholarship $9,179.30
Total $15,404.19

Mary Holden The State Membership Committee is considering reducing the cost of membership for married couples. If a new member selects membership deduction and identifies you as the person who encouraged them to join, you will receive a $10 Walmart gift card. There will be no blind mailing this year. A company has been hired to redesign the MRSPA logo. A recent survey received few responses so it will be resent between May and September.

Mary thanked Dave Brown for designing the posters advertising the benefits of QACRSPA membership to new retirees. They will be displayed in schools and will possibly be copied and placed in individual mail boxes as well. Mary encouraged everyone to keep talking up membership benefits.

Steve Strobeck The Legislative concerns are all about the budget. A balanced budget needs to be given to the governor by April 7th. Because it is difficult to decide what to cut, the session may be extended or reconvened after a break. Steve reported that most of what was supported by MRSPA is on the fast track to be passed. Bills concerning curriculum decisions were opposed but are going nowhere at this time. House Bill 0350, which transfers pension cost to locals, and HB0352 that contains the mechanism for implementing this, are being given careful consideration. The grant that the state has been giving locals will be suspended. Since 2011 the locals have been responsible for 13% of the cost, that amount would change to 20%. The good news for us is these bills won't affect those who are already retired. Our benefits are in place and cannot be taken away. MRSPA strongly opposes these bills and asked locals to write to their representatives expressing their opinion. Richard shared that while the investment of pension funds is doing well, he is concerned about the health benefits we have enjoyed. There is no guarantee that the current board will continue to support this expense. So far, no school system has reported cutting retired teachers' health benefits.

Bobbie Leaverton The membership has contributed so generously, the scholarship fund currently has a balance of $9,100. We are taking a year off to reduce the money in the fund. In October the Scholarship Committee will bring forth options for using the money. Possibilities would be to increase the amount of each scholarship or to choose more than two recipients. The 2025 applications are in the schools' computer applications now and are due by April 16th. A scholarship review committee will convene after that date to review the applications.

Richard McNeal recognized the executive committee for their dedication to their jobs. He shared that Jackie Wilhelm was not here because her daughter was having a baby. He alerted the membership about scams that are currently happening and encouraged all of us to check on our neighbors.

This being an odd year, it is time to hold elections. Dave Brown opened the elections by presenting the slate of Richard McNeal- President, Sue Miller-Treasurer and Marge Felty-Secretary. There were no additional nominees so these three positions have been filled. The vice president's position is an open office at this time. We are looking for a vice president who would be interested in assuming the president's position in two years, at the time of the next election.

Sandy- Save the Date for the Happy Hour, April 23rd at Uno Mas in Centreville. She also mentioned a forthcoming event in May, presented by an attorney who gave valuable information at the Institute for Adult Learning, about wills, trusts and other issues of interest to older adults.

Before adjourning the meeting, Richard cleverly awarded door prizes to four people using cups with the letters l-e-p-r-e-c-h-a-u-n.

Marge Felty, Secretary